Despite the Trump administration saying it has no plans to deploy Immigration Enforcement Officers at the polls, advocates in New York remain cautious.
“It is something we should be concerned about and prepared for,” said Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition. “If we stay ready, we don’t have to get ready.”
The New York Immigration Coalition says it’s “preparing for everything that could potentially be possible” this election season.
“Including using federal agents to intimidate people who are trying to exercise their rights as U.S. citizens in voting,” said Awawdeh.
In a statement to Spectrum News 1, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in part:
“ICE is not planning operations targeting polling locations. ICE conducts intelligence-driven targeted enforcement, and if an active public safety threat endangered a polling location, they may be arrested as a result of that targeted enforcement action.”
“The only time it would be appropriate for armed troops to be anywhere near polling places would be if we were under attack by a foreign enemy,” said Sean Morales-Doyle, senior director for the voting rights and elections program for the Brennan Center for Justice.
Despite DHS’s claims, advocates say the fear is real.
“ICE cannot be at the polls, but that doesn’t stop a lot of voices disclaiming that ICE will be at the polls, will be sent to the polls,” said Hae-Lin Choi, co-founder of Hands off NYC.
So, advocates say plans are in the works to deploy “thousands” of poll observers across New York to help ease some voters’ concerns.
They’re also increasing outreach to inform New Yorkers of who to call if they think they’re being prevented from exercising their right to vote.
Voting rights lawyers say they are also preparing if they need to go to court.
Advocates maintain the most important thing is that people make a plan to vote. They recommend casting your ballot early.
If a voter has questions, they can call the New York State Board of Elections at 518-474-1953.